A Sweet Spot in Falmouth
History
This family-owned shop has deep roots going back to 1956, when it started as “Trahan’s Candies” in Martha’s Vineyard. Paul and Mary Trahan began with just a small candy aisle in a Ben Franklin’s Store before opening their first shop in 1958. As word spread about their tasty treats, they added spots in Falmouth and Hyannis for summer visitors, plus Florida locations for winter.
In 1983, they made a big change by adding ice cream to their menu. Five years later, the founders sold the business to their nephews Benjamin and William Coggins, who gave the shop its current name.
What Makes Them Special
Ben & Bill’s stands out for two main things: handmade chocolates and fresh ice cream made right on site.
Their most famous (or notorious) creation? Lobster Ice Cream – a butter-vanilla base with real chunks of lobster meat. They use 1½ pounds of fresh lobster for every two gallons of ice cream. While most folks just take a tiny taste rather than a full scoop, it’s become the shop’s calling card.
For less adventurous eaters, they offer lots of regular flavors like:
- KGB (made with Kahlua, Grand Marnier, and Baileys)
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
- Moose Droppings
- Blueberry
- Whoopie Pie
The shop also offers dairy-free and vegan options for those with special diets.
Chocolate lovers can browse shelves of handcrafted treats like truffles, chocolate-covered coconut, and maple cream chocolates (a big hit with customers). Their buttercrunch toffee is another top seller.
They even created a special chocolate for MIT professor Bob Langer’s birthday in 2024 – “Dr. Bob’s Dark Chocolate Maple Syrup Cream” – after learning he’d been buying pounds of their maple creams for 30 years.
Community Connection
The Falmouth shop has earned its place as a local favorite:
- It’s won TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice award
- They deliver chocolates for special events around town
- The narrow store with outdoor seating sits in the heart of downtown
Whether you’re dropping in for a kiddie scoop (known for being extra generous) or picking up a box of handmade chocolates, Ben & Bill’s offers a taste of Cape Cod tradition that keeps both locals and tourists coming back year after year.